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| Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during his meeting with French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Lefort (not seen) at Incheon International Airport, Sunday, before his departure for Paris to rally international support for Korea's bid to host the World Expo 2030 in its southern port city of Busan. Yonhap |
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo departed for Paris, Sunday, to rally international support for Korea's bid to host the World Expo 2030 in its southern port city of Busan.
During his first overseas trip since taking office last month, Han plans to attend a general assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) set to take place Monday and Tuesday. The BIE is an intergovernmental body in charge of overseeing World Expos.
On Tuesday, Han is set to deliver a presentation on Korea's bid to host the international event under the main theme of "Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future," according to his aides.
On the margins of the assembly, Han is expected to meet representatives of BIE member countries to ask for their support.
He will be accompanied by SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, who doubles as head of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon.
The World Expo is one of the largest international festivals besides the World Cup and the Olympics. Hosting an expo is estimated to create economic effects worth 61 trillion won (US$47.1 billion), according to the government. (Yonhap)
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